​The global tourism institution-EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY has appointed Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Kingdom of Cambodia, as the new academician member of the institution rector of world tourism.

Dr. Thong Khon makes part of the latest series of world leaders of tourism and development accepted in the leadership position in the European Tourism Academy in order to strengthen the leadership and the director on world tourism, announced H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council on Tourism and Trade President.

The global tourism institution-EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY has appointed Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Kingdom of Cambodia, as the new academician member of the institution rector of world tourism.

It is the first time since 2014 when a non-head of state was accepted to this great honor.

To date 200 top tourism leaders, heads of states, prime ministers, leaders of parliaments are involved in the development of a new world tourism concept, in supporting the global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy in charting the course towards an inclusive tourism based on culture, heritage and environment protection.

Dr. Thong Khon is one of the longest serving ministers of tourism in the world, taking up the job in 1998 and is the current Hon. Minister of Tourism of Cambodia and Head of National Olympic Committee.

He is a member of the Cambodian People`s Party and is a doctor in communication and social science of the University of the Sunshine Coast and Doctor in Arts (Tourism) of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyabur (Thailand).

With the selection of Minister Thong Khon as the newest academician in the world`s tourism academy, Cambodia becomes the first country in the world to have two leaders in the European Tourism Academy structures.

We mention also that Dr. Thong Khon is the first non-head of state that is selected in the global tourism body since 2014, a honor that speaks volumes about his achievements and strong personality.

The designation ceremony was held in Phnom Penh under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, representative of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and visiting H.E. Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.

European Tourism Academy (ETA) is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism on the world stage, in supporting the Agenda 2030 implementation and United Nations research initiatives.

In partnership with private and public sector members, European Tourism Academy (ETA) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism, provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.

European Tourism Academy (ETA) is rapidly expanding his activities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting, and establishing niche markets.

On the occasion of the start of preparations for WORLD TOURISM DAY 2019 the global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy had decided to select Djibouti City and Phnom Penh as models and hosts of World Tourism Day 2019 ceremonies in sign of recognition of these cities as centers of tourism development, repositories of priceless cultural artifacts and leaders in heritage protection.

The Autumn 2018 Meeting of European Council on Tourism and Trade and the official celebrations for WORLD TOURISM DAY 2018 had taken place at the headquarters of global tourism institution.

The events had taken place under the leadership of Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council on Tourism and Trade President and a string of key decisions for tourism and culture future in 2019 had being taken.

The main issues debated where the selection of the 2019 host cities for World Tourism Day, and the announcement of official theme of the next year tourism celebration for European Tourism Academy and European Council on Tourism and Trade.

This theme will be instrumental also in the selection of new candidates for hosting world tourism awards ceremonies in 2019.

Both Djibouti and Phnom Penh where in previous years selected as World`s Capital of Culture and Tourism and globally recognized as centers of heritage, tourism and culture.

The city of Phnom Penh has also obtained WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION status in 2016 and hosted the World Tourism Awards ceremonies the same year establishing himself as a powerful tourism and cultural center of Indochina.

Tourism must also be organized in such a manner to not impede conservation efforts, to support raising awareness on historical monuments and to help to acquire the financial support necessary for historical preservation activities.

Tourism and history are inseparable, are growing from the same tree: the sapling of culture and civilization.

History is the root of tourism development and tourism must feed and nurture historical preservation as leaves are feeding the tree said Professor Dr. Anton Caragea-global tourism president.The next year celebration for World Tourism Day will take place in 27 September 2019, placing under the spotlight the culture and civilization as an integral part of tourism growth and role in the sustainable development goals agenda.

Academician Mircea CONSTANTINESCU: EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY leader pledges continuous support for Cambodia`s development and international standing.

The global tourism institutions of European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy will continue to assist and foster this climate of confidence and flurry of developmental activities that made the country a WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and now the world sixth economy.​

The Kingdom of Cambodia has many reasons to celebrate as the World Bank has just ranked the country as the world`s sixth economy as growth rate in 2018 topping many other nations and established investment destinations.

The main reason for World Bank rating was the country incredible tourism developments in the last years starting with the Kingdom being selected as WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION, a moved that brought a supplementary 1 million tourists in 2016/2017 and the capital Phnom Penh being selected as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM another landmark achievement that brought a new 1,5 million tourists to the Asian Kingdom.

These successes had brought about and a flash flood of investments with more than 3 billion USD poured into the country tourism sector since Cambodia acquired the WORLD`S BET TOURIST DESTINATION status.

After Phnom Penh was selected WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM, the American giant Marriott announced it will open a Courtyard Hotel by Marriott slated to open its doors in 2018 with a total of 189 rooms, all-day dining, a dynamic lobby cafe, and a sky bar.

​Recently in the wake of Phnom Penh being announced as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM, David Udell, Hyatt Hotels’ Group President-Asia Pacific, said: “As Phnom Penh becomes known as a destination for art, culture, tourism and business, we are confident that the globally recognized Hyatt Regency brand will resonate with business and leisure travelers visiting the country”.

As a result, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the new announced investment in WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM will have 250 rooms, restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool and bar, as well as a convention center.

Finally, the high-end Rosewood Hotel is scheduled to open in 2018. It will be a deluxe property with 175 rooms and suites.

Now the designation of the country as the 6th economy in the world in terms of opportunities, investment climate and growth will mark the nation as a hot spot for future investment in tourism and culture related sectors, stated European Council on Tourism and Trade President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

These sectors will continue to boom, attracted by the country political stability, pro-business climate enacted by the Academician Hun Sen, the Kingdom Prime Minister and high honesty and probity of his government remarked also President Dr. Anton Caragea.

Academician Mircea Constantinescu, European Tourism Academy Director mentioned also: these accomplishments are the direct result of the supervision of the GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS- Prime Minister HUN SEN and are proving our righteousness in proposing his policies as a world model.

EJTT special correspondent to Washington reports on the events preparing the taking over of the new Trump administration and mostly tries to see what will spell for the future of tourism industry.

The new United States President Donald John Trump is taking office and in his inaugural address he promised a bright future for US tourism: placing the country on World Best Tourism Destination list, making historical cities on Eastern Coast of United States to be recognized as World Capital of Culture, all are on the to do list of the new administration drafted by the new President on his first day in office, writes European Journal of Tourism Washington correspondent.

Donald J. Trump promises that he will put his managerial skills in the benefit of world tourism.

The analysis result sounds cautious: new immigration procedures that make the customs and border process harder, the scrutiny of particular groups of people); and the perception of how welcoming and safe (or not) the United States is are growing to weigh heavily on the future of US tourism.

Others cited in the article are right a way tenebrous: attendees at the World Travel Market London conference were coming up and “offering condolences.”( Gary Leff).

The list of worries on tourism faith under Donald Trump is long and wide, spanning from: banning of minority groups, hostile policies towards Middle Eastern travellers, Cuban policy, US dollar strength in ratings, air fares tariffs, immigration policies and what role the Trump hotels will have in the great scheme of things.

Tourism is all about optimism and confidence and the new US President Donald Trump Jr. vaunted in his inaugural address that: we will make US great for all who comes to visit it, make it a World Best Tourist Destination country!

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM AND TRADE

European Journal of Tourism and Trade is a regular publication of European Council on Tourism and Trade destined to disseminate information`s about World Best Tourist destinations, European tourism statistic, evolution`s, laws, regulations and main event`s.